Category: Eastern Wisdom
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Confucius Series: Ripple Effects of the Heart
“To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order; we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.” – Confucius…
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Rectify the names
Zilu said: ‘If the Lord of Wei were waiting for you to run the government, what would you give priority to?’ The Master said: “What is necessary is to rectify names, is it not?’ Zilu said: ‘If this were to take place, it would surely be an aberration of yours.…
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Pleasure Scales
“The gentleman cherishes virtue, but the small man cherishes the soil…” – 夫子 Master Kong (Confucius) The Analects 4:11 Do we reach for the high? Or do we reach for the low? The less connection we feel to others, the surrounding world, and ourselves, the easier we will fall to…
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Image-model
“With this image as a model, the sage learns how best to develop himself so that his influence may endure. He must make himself strong in every way, by consciously casting out all that is inferior and degrading. Thus he attains that tirelessness which depends upon consciously limiting the fields…
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Confucius Series: Humble or Prideful Critique
“A great man is hard on himself; a small man is hard on others.” – 夫子 Master Kong (Confucius) The Analects Where do we aim our critique? Do we aim it at others? Or ourselves? We can find fault with others when it is warranted. But what if it isn’t?…
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Chinese Proverb Series: Arrogance
Arrogance is the enemy of victory. – Chinese Proverb We all know this to be true. When we are arrogant, we speak and act incorrectly. We choose the pleasure of anger and pride in the moment and regret our words and actions later. When we are ignorant, we are often…
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Confucius Series: Motivation
The Master said: ‘Can one avoid concurring with exemplary sayings? But to make them the basis of self-improvement is considered the most valuable thing. Can one avoid being pleased with blandishments? But to unravel the motivation is considered the most valuable thing. If someone is pleased but does not unravel…
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Tao Te Ching: Less is More
Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling. Not collecting treasures prevents stealing. Not seeing desirable things prevents confusions of the heart. The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies,by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones. If people lack knowledge and desire, then intellectuals will not try to interfere. If nothing…
KEEP THE OLD WARM 